Method of distributing insecticides or fungicides and steam jet-driven helicopter for performing same



Nov. 17, 1953 F. METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING INSECTICIDES OR FUNGICIDES STEAMJET-DRIVEN HELICOPTER FOR PERFORMING SAME Filed Aug. 15, 1950 L U.DOBLHOFF we TEE CHEMICAL AND 5 Sheets-Sheet l NOV. 17, 1953 F L u,DQBLHOFF 2,659,556

METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING INSECTICIDES OR FUNGICIDES AND STEAM JET-DRIVENHELICOPTER FOR PERFORMING SAME Filed Aug. 1G, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2l/lllllla A 17's lean-V5.

Nov. 17, 1953 F. L. u. DOBLHOFF 2,659,556

METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING INSECTICIDES OR FUNGICIDES AND STEAM JET-DRIVENHELICOPTER FOR PERFORMING SAME 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 16,

Patented l7, 1953 METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING INSECTICIDES R FUNGICIDES ANDSTEAM JET-DRIVEN HELICOPTER FOR PERFORMING SAME Friedrich L. U.Doblhoff, St. Louis, Mo.

Application August 16, 1950, Serial N 0. 179,842

7 Claims.

(Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952),

see. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used byor for the Government for governmental purposes without payment to me ofany royalty thereon.

The advantages of the distribution of insecticides and fungicides fromaircraft, even from helicopters, are well known. It was not knownhowever, previous to this invention that a steam jet-driven helicopterprovides an ideal means for the distribution of insecticides. The reasonfor the advantage is that the steam exhaust of the helicopter, byhumidifying the surrounding air and increasing the downwash orslipstream turbulence increases the adhesion of the dust and improvesthe distribution of liquid sprays on crops.

The increased humidity in the immediate vicinity of the helicoptermoistens the leaves, fruits and other infested objects, therebypreventing the simultaneously applied insecticide dust from falling tothe ground, or from drifting away, or from remaining inactive due toinsuflicient contact with the surface of the infested object. Further,the turbulence resulting from the high velocity of expanding steamfurther improves the adhesion and even distribution of the dust. In thecase of distribution in the form of liquid sprays, the increasedturbulence assists the break ing-up of the liquid into atomized dropletsand even spreading of the droplets on the leaves through the moistureresulting from the con-- densation of the steam. It prevents thecondition which tends to exist with conventional spray aircraft whenhighly concentrated water solutions are employed, to evaporate the wateror other carrier fluid from the dissolved material before the sprayreaches the ground. The prevalence of Water vapor in the spray, due tothe steam exhaust, reduces this difldculty and permits the use of higherconcentration and finer droplets.

One object therefore of the present invention is to provide a method ofdistributing fungicides and insecticides with steam not necessarilyoriginally from a steam-driven helicopter, although such aircraft is thepreferred source.

Another object is to provide a general method of treating plant lifewith insecticides or the like from helicopters in which a blanket ofcondensed steam is provided ahead of the air path of the helicopter tomoisten the plant life first and then apply the insecticide etc., fromthe same helicopter whereby the then distributed chemical will adhere tothe plant life to a greater extent than if no preliminary moistening hadbeen performed;

, ous filler necks on the helicopter tanks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a steam jet-drivenhelicopter, especially adapted to the work of distributing fungicidesand insecticides and which is especially adapted to operate at very lowaltitudes;

Another object of the invention is to provide a steam jet-drivenhelicopter, the initial and maine tenance costs of which are much lowerthan those incurred in the case of mechanical helicopters and whichpermits the use of kerosene, fuel oil and the like in place of the moreexpensive gasoline;

Another object is to provide a propulsion system for the helicopter inwhich the use of a highpressure boiler is avoided and for which issubstituted a light water tank operating at atmospheric pressure orslightly above;

Another object is to provide a steam driven helicopter of increasedmaneuverability due to the steam exhaust and the blade downwash orslipstream being directed past the rudder; and

Another object is to provide a helicopter structure which is adapted tobe filled simultaneously in all of its various tanks and containers inthe shortest possible time. This is accomplished by a piece of groundequipment having tanks or containers for all fluids and chemicalsrequired for the operation of the vehicle. These are similar in volumeand linear order to the tanks and containers carried by the helicopter.To these ground tanks are attached hoses of suflicient diameter topermit rapid flow of the fluids and chemicals. The dispensary ends ofthe hoses are arranged in a battery to conform with the vari- The entireground rig is mounted on wheels or skids. While the helicopter is inflight, the tanks on the ground rig are filled with the required fluidsand chemicals and as soon as the helicopter has landed the ground rig isWheeled into position and its battery of dispensing nozzles is insertedsimultaneously in all filter necks of the helicopter.

The transfer of fluids of the chemical from the ground rig to thehelicopter may be performed rapidly, opening all valves in the hosessimultaneously and allowing gravity or other suitable means such as pumpfor fluids or agitators for dry chemicals to perform the transfer.

Referring now to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my helicopter;

Fig. 2 is an end view taken from the front end pilots seat;

Fig. 3 is an oblique perspective view showing the helicopter on thegroimd, together with a ground rig from which the tanks are about to berefilled;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of a tank neck;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. i with the addition of thecooperating partially sectioned filling spout of the ground rig.Operation of the automatic valve is shown;

Fig. 6 is a section of a rotor blade tip showing the steam conduit anddownwardly slanted steam exit pipe; and

Fig. '7 is a prospective view of a helicopter in flight performing thesteps of advance steam distribution and scattering of insecticidesimul.- taneously.

In Fig. 1, i9 is a helicopter having a centralground engaging runner ii,the front end 12 of which is slightly out down to accommodate thepositioning of a pair of ruddenpedals l3 which control a rear rudder Himounted on a post through a pair of cables one of which is it. A pilotsseat ii is mounted on the runner l i from which a control lever it isadapted to control the direction of a inultiblade rotor 9. The rotor, i9is mounted on a mast 28 through a heavy arm 2i which serves to carry therotor it in an oiiset position.

A steam power plant 22 is mounted on the central runner it between therudder post and the mast 23-. It comprises a boiler 23 which may beeither of the flash type or perforateddrum fire tube type. A fire box 26encloses the boiler, which is not however confined at the rear. A bloweris connected to the fire box as through a gasket joint 26. The latterserves to support a fuel atomizer 2? which is fed by a fuel line 28 froma fuel tank 29.

The blower 25 is driven from a small internal combustion engine 36,likewise mounted on the runner H, preferably through a V belt 3! to adouble pulley 32 which provides a speed reduction. A second V belt 33drives a water pump 3 which supplies boiler 23 via pipes 35 and thelatter leading from a water tank 31 ahead of the mast 20. A seconddouble pulley 38.011 the engine 38 also drives a chemical pumpSB-through av belt G3. The pump 39 may be a conventional one forliquids, such as a centrifugal 0r geared pump or it may be a device formoving powders, such as known to the art. Some of these employ spiralsor helices. The pump 39 is supplied by a pipe ll-i from a tank 42designated chemical which indicates that a wide variety of reagents maybe employed and that these may be liquids, solids (i. e. powders) orsolutions. A separate fuel tank 53 may be mounted on the engine 36 01the engine may use fuel from tank 29 if desired. Tanks 3'! and A2 aremounted upon a center board or rack 44 to which pipes 36, ll and achemical delivery pipe :5 from pump 39 may be conveniently attached. Thepipe 45 leads to the approximate middle of a sprayboom 46, the undersideof which is provided with a plurality of regularly spaced nozzles 4i. Ateach end of the spray boom as there is a skid as which serves as anoutrigger to keep the craft upright on the ground (see Fig. 3)

Steam delivery from the boiler 23 is provided for by a flexible pipe "39which is attached to the mast 2E and arm 2! by clamps 56. At the end ofthe arm 2! there is a universal joint 5! upon which the rotor i9 ismounted and through which its inclination may be controlled by the leverit.

Such action, as is well known, enablesthe craft.

to be steered. Above the universal '5! .a combination steam manifold androtating .cap .52 encircles the rotor stem 53 admitting steam to thepipes 54 in the rotor l9 (see Fig. 6) via the small flexible tubes 55between the manifold 52 and the rotor pipes 54. The manifold 52 obtainsits steam through the rotor stem 53 which is in turn supplied with steamthrough the universal joint El and the outer end of the arm 21.Connection of the pipe to the outer end of this arm is shown. Theuniversal 5| does not rotate with he rotor. i9, but the combination canand manifold52 does. A collective-control lever 9 is also provided forthe control of a water throttle 73 through turning the grip 3. The leveralso serves to regulate the collective pitch of the blades of the rotor19 through a conventional swash plate (not shown) or other conventionalmeans. The axis of rotation lies along the pipes 54.

Itmay. be observed from Fig. 6 that the pipe 54 terminates in a jet ornozzle 56 which is se on the blades iii so that it has both a rearwardand a downward directional component. Not only a propulsive eifectisthereby realized, but a pronounced downwash of mixed air and condensedsteam about the entire helicopter. This downwash or slipstream alsoflows past the rudder it which is in its path and which is also in thepath of combustion products blown out from the firebox 23. Rudder [4therefore is amply provided with a gas stream against which to react, sothat a comparatively small,rud-;ler will serve to provideample steering.The downwasn or slipstream also has a beneficial eifect on the chemicalspray as before explained.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the various tanks 42, 31, 13 and 29. are eachprovided with a flared filler pipe 5? which, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5is provided with an internal valve 58 comprising a trapdoor EQspringhinged attll.- Each filler pipe is brought to a uniform height; as shownin Fig. 1. Such arrangementmakes-filling from a multispout filling means6| (Figs. 2,3 and 5) easier, since only one height adjustment need bemade for all spouts. Each spout 6i pushes the valve means 58 down at thesame time-and the trapdoors 59- are returned to closed position at thesame time due to the spring hinge 60.

Referring now solely to Fig. 3, there is illustrated a combination of aground .rig 62 and my special helicopter [0, The ground rig andhelicopter form a true combination since each is adapted to the otherand both cooperate to produce a unitary result, 1. e., rapid,expeditious, efficient spraying. Both Iaresingle-purposc machines.

The ground rig 62 comprises a frame 63 forming a platform 64 supportedby' preferably four wheeled legs 65. On the platform 64 a set of tanks63, corresponding in size, number, contents, order and position to thehelicopter tanks, are mounted by means of a rack 61 to uniform height.The multiple spout 6i, whichis composed of as many delivery pipes asthere are tanks, has one pipe es-connected into each tank. Thepipes 58are banded together intermediate of their ends,

but separated at the delivery ends so that their spouts 84 willeachregister with its respective filler pipe 57 and be long enough tooperate the valve means 58 therein. The frame 63 is provided. with along handle bar to enable the operator ii, to perform his duties insafety while the rotor l 9 is turning.

After thehelicopter it has landed for refilling, the operator pushes theground l'igas shown by the handle bar Gt under therevolving rotor, temeporarily balances the rig on its rear wheels while he elevates thespouts 5! to clear the flared filler pipes and then lowers the frontwheels to allow the spouts 6i to open the valve means 58. He thenoperates a lever and rod control H which operates a series of gangedquick-opening valves '12, one being located in each delivery pipe 68.When the helicopter tanks are full, he releases the lever ll, whereuponall valves 12 close simultaneously. He then elevates the front wheelsagain and while they are elevated withdraws the rig. During the fillingoperation, even if the operator is careless and allows the tanks tooverflow he will not waste much liquid because the capacity of each tankon the rig is the same as its corresponding tank on the helicopter andit is assumed that the pilot will not land for a refill until his tanksare nearly empty. The capacity ratios of his tanks are chosen so thattheir contents will be exhausted substantially simultaneously; however asafety margin of extra capacity is provided in the tank holding the fuelfor the steam plant.

While my method of treating plant life with insecticides or the like canbe accomplished most expeditiously with the special steam-drivenhelicopter described, it can also be carried out with a conventionalinternal-combustion engine driven helicopter. This aircraft should carrya steam generating plant and appropriate chemical and water tanks andappr priate p p s f ejecting steam in the flight path in advance of thehelicopter. Means for simultaneously spraying the chemicals in adirection nearer the vertical than that of the steam jet should also beprovided and operated simultaneously with the steam ejection and theadvance of the aircraft. An elevation of from ten to fifty feet over theplant life to be treated is the preferred range of elevation forcarrying out the method.

What I claim is:

l. A helicopter vehicle for the aerial distribution of chemicalscomprising a water tank, a pump receiving water from said tank, a boilerreceiving water from said pump, a burner for supplying heat to saidboiler, a steam line attached to the outlet of said boiler, a pluralityof helicopter blades rotatably mounted on said vehicle, each bladehaving one or more steam reaction nozzles mounted on said rotor bladesreceiving steam from said steam line for rotating the same and todischarge steam condensate or water vapor in a circular area below theblade during rotation thereof, a container for chemicals and means forthe distribtuion of said chemicals in the aforesaid moisture laden areabelow said blades.

2. A helicopter for the aerial distribution of chemicals as set forth inclaim 1 in which the said means for the distribution of said chemicalsincludes an auxiliary power means and pump means driven thereby for thedistribution of said chemicals below the area covered by the helicopterblades.

3. In combination, a helicopter, a hollow-blade rotor therefor, a steamgenerating means thereon, means for delivering steam therefrom to theinterior of said rotor, exhaust means for the steam at the tips of therotor blades for exhausting the steam in a direction having a rearwardcomponent and a downward component, whereby to rotate the rotor and liftthe helicopter, and means for spraying an insecticide or the like in thepath of the downwash or slipstream of condensed steam which results fromthe aforesaid operation of the rotor.

4. In combination in a helicopter, a central runner, an operators chairand controls substantially at the front end of said runner, a ruddermounted at the rear end of said runner, a mast substantiallyintermediate of said chair and rudder, a multiblade helicopter rotoroperatively mounted on said mast and formed with a steam deliveryconduit extending longitudinally therethrough, a steam generator mountedon the rear portion of said runner, including a fire box, steam conduitconnections therefrom to said rotor steam delivery conduit, steam jetdischarge means on the ends of said blades connected to rotor steamdelivery conduit for discharging steam therefrom to rotate the blades ofthe rotor for lift and distribution of steam below the area covered bythe blades during rotation thereof, a blower operatively mounted on saidrunner to deliver air to the fire box, a fuel supply including a tankmounted on said runner to deliver fuel to said fire box and to said airstream from said blower, an internal combustion engine mounted on saidrunner operatively connected to said blower, an insecticide deliverysystem mounted on said runner comp-rising a tank for insecticide, a pumpfor delivering insecticide therefrom, a spray boom arranged crosswise ofsaid central runner in the area covered by said helicopter blades duringrotation thereof, spray nozzles operatively arranged in a substantiallyuniform manner along the length of said spray boom for discharginginsecticide therefrom and means for delivering insecticide from saidlast tank to said nozzles including the pump and a driving conncctiontherefor from said internal combustion engine.

5. The combination recited in claim 4 in which the rudder is mounted inalignment with the blast of combustion products resulting fromcombustion within the fire box.

6. In a helicopter, a steam boiler, a fire box therefor, means forcreating a blast of air through said fire box, and in a rearwarddirection, a multiple blade rotor, means for introducing steam into saidrotor and blades; downwardly and rearwardly angled jet discharge meansat the end portions of the blades for discharging a jet of steamdownwardly and rearwardly substantially from each tip of said blades,for distributing the steam in a circular path below the area covered bythe blades during rotation thereof, a rudder for steering saidhelicopter, said rudder being normally aligned with the downwardcomponent of the steam discharged from said blades during rotation ofthe rotor and the rearward direction of the blast of combustion productsfrom the fire box, to promote maneuverability of the helicopter andeffect turbulence in the steam distributed area, and means carried bythe helicopter located in said circular area below the blades forintroducing an insecticide, fungicide, or the like into the downwash orslipstream of water vapor from said steam discharge jets into said area.

7. The method of aerial distribution of insecticides and the like fortreatment of material in an area below, which comprises dischargingwater vapor under pressure in a circular path in a downward directionover and toward the area to be treated from a position above the area tobe treated and simultaneously injecting the insecticide into water vaporwithin said circular path, above the said area to be treated and belowthe point of discharge of the water vapor, whereby the downwardlydirected water vapor moistens: the treated area, acts=asaconveyingNumber: Name Date medium carrying the:insecticidedownwardly and1351453591 York- Nov. 4, 1924 distributing the samefor depositoverthearea 1,740,032 Pecard Dec. 17, 1929 to be treated andmoistenssaidarea-to be treated 2001529. Dornier May 14, 1935 to assist in retainingthe-insectieide'dn contact 5 2398,885 Satter1ee= Nov. 9, 1937 with saidmaterial in treated-area: 2-,433;2.51 Whiting Dec. 23, 1947FRIEDRICH-Ii. U. DO-BLHOFF: 2",504s580 Pierson Apr. 18, 1950 2583,8831Ripper Jan. 29, 1952 ReferennesCitetli inthe'fi1eof this-:patent:2,583,884: Ripper et a1 Jan. 29, 1952 UNITED? STATES PATENTS? 10 2 ,590,57 Po t B4 1952 Number Name'- Date 1,344,661 Strong June-29,4920

